Audio

HyperX Cloud Alpha Review

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October 19, 2017 10 Min Read
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The Cloud Alpha comes in with redesigned earcups that feature specifically designed chambers to reduce distortion, and give greater audio clarity.


Product on Review: HyperX Cloud Alpha
Manufacturer: HyperX
Street Price: UK: £99.99, US: $99.99

HyperX have been creating big waves in gaming audio with their Cloud series of headsets, and the Alpha comes as the next evolution. The Cloud headset refined and improved the availability the Q-PAD QH-90 headset, and then HyperX continued to refine the headset further. The original headset itself gave a fantastic, warm and clear audio performance that readily lent itself to a superb gaming experience, however, it did had a certain harshness to the high-end, preventing it from being outright, brilliant. Since then, HyperX have spent the time developing the awesome HyperX Cloud Revolver, to which, we would happily rate as being a front runner in the ‘best gaming headset ever’ race. Despite that, the Cloud Revolver still has some quirks that may put some people off, including the metal frame/ gong, or the lack of easily removable/replaceable ear-pads.

The Alpha looks set to improve the original Cloud design and includes some notable changes, including fully modular cables for convenient connectivity. The more notable change would be the redesigned ear-cups that feature dual chambers to help the 50mm drivers render sound with greater accuracy and less distortion. There are various returning features, including the detachable noise cancelling microphone, the use of ‘signature’ HyperX memory foam for comfort, and a discrete in-line remote control for on-the-fly volume adjustment and microphone muting.



Overview by HyperX
HyperX™ Cloud Alpha’s groundbreaking Dual Chamber Drivers design will give your audio more distinction and clarity by reducing the distortion. The dual chambers separate the bass from the mids and highs, allowing optimal tuning for cleaner, smoother sound. The Cloud Alpha headset builds upon HyperX’s foundation of signature award-winning comfort with premium red memory foam, expanded headband and softer, more pliable leatherette. The durable aluminum frame can take the rigors of daily play, and per player request, Cloud Alpha also features a tough, detachable braided cable. The detachable noise-cancellation microphone is certified by Discord and TeamSpeak™, ensuring you’ll have great team communication. It’s also multi-platform compatible with in-line audio controls, so serious gamers on PC, PS4™, Xbox One™ and other platforms with a 3.5mm port will benefit from the bold sound of the Cloud Alpha evolution.

Technical Specifications

Headphone
Driver: Custom dynamic, 50mm with neodymium magnets
Type: Circumaural, closed back
Frequency response: 13Hz–27,000Hz
Impedance: 65 Ohm
Sound pressure level: 98dBSPL/mW at 1kHz
T.H.D.: < 1%
Weight: 298g
Weight with mic & cable: 336g
Cable length and type: Detachable headset cable (1.3m) + PC extension cable (2m)
Connection: Detachable headset cable – 3.5mm plug (4 pole) + PC extension cable – 3.5mm stereo and mic plugs

Microphone
Element: Electret condenser microphone
Polar pattern: Noise-cancelling
Frequency response: 50Hz-18,000Hz
Sensitivity: -43dBV (0dB=1V/Pa,1kHz)

Packaging & First Look


The Cloud Alpha fits in with the HyperX design, and adopts a red band at the top displaying its compatibility. There is a small clutter of words which highlights the primary features of this headset in various languages against a grungy backdrop and a large image of the product itself.


The rear side of the packaging gives a more detailed breakdown of the Alphas features, again in various languages.


HyperX include a whole load of accessories, including a 1.1m braided cable with inline remote and a 4pole connector, a 2m audio/microphone splitter (again braided), a detachable microphone, and a carry bag. There are no additional earpads included with the Cloud Alpha.


The headset fits neatly inside the included carry bag, this will help protect it from dust while in storage, or prevent any scratches/knocks while in transport.


The inline remote is rather small and features a volume dial and a microphone mute switch.


The headset itself features a similar design to the original Cloud, but can easily be distinguished by its slightly differently shaped earcups, and the cut outs in the exposed metal frame. HyperX has run with a red colouring on the metal, which is attractive, though many would have preferred this to have been a more neutral colour such as gun-metal grey.

Closer Look



The top side of the headband features the HyperX logo embossed into it, while the edges where the top and underside of the headband are stitched for durability.


The headband itself features HyperX’s signature memory foam for comfort.


As with the previous Cloud headsets, the ear-cups have an adjustable length to suit your head size.


We can clearly see that the ear-cups have lost a bit of the roundness found on the Cloud headset, now with straighter sides and a slightly flatter metal covering. The plastic part features a soft-touch coating, while the metal part is no longer brushed, but is a matt finish. On the underside of the left ear-cup we see the ports for the microphone and the main cable.


On the top side of the ear-cup we find a group of vents which will allow for a small amount of ventilation, and bass reflex.


The headset itself is very flexible and allows for a lot of movement. In this image here we can clearly see the cut outs in the frame, allowing some weight reduction, as well as the shape of the ear-pads. The ear-pads are very soft, high quality leatherette, with squishy memory foam underneath.


We can easily remove the ear-pads to replace them with fresh ones later in the headsets life, while underneath, we can see that the drivers are protected by a metal mesh.

Performance Testing

Setup, Design & Observations
As the Cloud Alpha is an analogue model, all you need is a compatible port (4pole or audio/microphone out) and all should be good. As the cables and microphone are fully modular, the only real issue that will cause this headset to fail would be a blown driver, or a worn out audio port. The included cables are braided and are feel of decent quality and didn’t introduce any noticeable interference. On the primary cable, the in-line remote is rather small, but easy to use, and the microphone mute switch functioned nicely without being too stiff, however, we would like to see volume and mute controls moved onboard instead of an in-line remote.

The headset itself is 14g lighter than the original Cloud headset, and 40g lighter than the Cloud Revolver including cable/microphone, though we would like to see that fall below 300g. On the head we found it very comfortable, and the weight is fairly well balanced. We noticed that the ear-pads provided less space for your ears than the previous Cloud models, making a full circum-aural experience a bit difficult for my strictly average ears. We found this to be a problem because the ear-pads are incredibly soft, making it difficult to tell if part of your ear has been pinned, but if it turns out so, you will discover so a few hours later due to the discomfort caused by this. It is also at this point where we note that it seems like that the clamp strength seems a touch higher than that found on the Cloud/Cloud revolver, and while not uncomfortable, it exacerbates the discomfort caused due to the reduced size of the ear-pads. Though if you get a good positioning, the Cloud Alpha remains comfortable for as long as you wear it, and the seal created by the plush ear-pads provide excellent passive noise cancelling.


Multimedia
To test out the Cloud Alpha, we listened to various music tracks that are well known to us in a lossless format. Something I picked up instantly (after regularly using a Cloud headset), is that the Alpha has a much better balance to its audio, picking up details much better, and giving a brilliant audio performance. Gone are the trashy high tones, and welcome clarity. The mid-tones are well accounted for too, something we found improved the play in games (CS:GO, DOTA2), and the bass reflex is tight and punchy. On further listening, and direct side-by-side comparisons with other headsets, we felt that the bass could have been a little more pronounced, though, it certainly isn’t lacking as it is. As we were playing though various other games, we felt that the detail the Cloud Alpha provided, created an excellent sense of positioning and immersion, but remained comparable to the original Cloud headset.

Microphone
The noise cancelling microphone sounds warm, natural, and does a great job of reducing background noises. Performance will vary depending on the hardware you are using it with, but generally we felt that it was good. It can easily be removed when not needed, and bends nicely to whichever position you desire.

Conclusion

The Cloud Alpha solidifies HyperX’s position as the go-to brand for high-quality gaming audio. This headset pretty much knocks that out the park. We love that this headset is now fully modular, and every aspect of this headset reaches a very high standard. The dual chamber design, does wonders in regards to improving the audio quality of the Cloud Alpha, rendering sound with excellent precision.



We have overlooked a few things, including our preference for on-board volume/microphone mute controls, desire for a slightly more pronounced bass, but there are a few things that we observed that set the Cloud Alpha back a little from receiving our highest acclaim. Firstly, the slightly smaller ear-pads only ‘JUST’ fit around my ‘average ears’, and if you end up getting them pinned (semi-supra-aural??), it can cause some discomfort. So those with larger ears may very well want to avoid this headset. HOWEVER, when the Cloud Alpha is positioned correctly, it is amongst the most comfortable headsets out there. This feels almost like a design error, made in the name of cutting down size/weight, but at what cost? And while we can certainly say that the Cloud Alpha matches/surpasses the ‘Cloud’ headset in every way, and so as a successor, the Alpha is entirely worthy of replacing the older Cloud headset. Though at £99, the Alpha merely matches the £99 Cloud Revolver in most aspects, with the Alpha having the lighter weight and sleeker ‘gong free’ design, while the Revolver has significantly superior audio quality and larger ear-cups for a better fit.

For the perfect HyperX headset, I would suggest mashing the Cloud Alpha with the Cloud Revolver, using the Revolver ear-cups/drivers (allow for easily removable ear-pads and tone down the exuberant design to reduce weight), then attach them to the sleeker frame/headband of the Cloud Alpha. Take it through the process of weight reduction (maybe remove some foam from the headband) et voila.

Despite sounding a little disappointed in the above comments, maybe we expected too much from the Cloud Alpha? The reality is, the Cloud Alpha is a fantastic headset and will easily carve out its own following. We simply can’t help but feel that it is a half-step sideways when compared to the Cloud Revolver. For many, the sleeker design and the removable ear-pads alone may be enough to sway them more towards the Cloud Alpha as their go-to headset. Either way, between the Cloud Alpha or Revolver, you will be getting a seriously good headset.

You can trust HyperX to provide you with a high-quality headset with rich, detailed audio and lasting comfort.

Pros.
+ High quality construction
+ Attractive finish
+ High quality, precise audio
+ Comfortable
+ Fully modular cables/removable microphone
+ Includes carry/storage bag

Cons.
– Price
– No spare ear-pads
– Only available in black/red
– Ear pads could be larger

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